Node.js vs Angular: Comparing JavaScript Frameworks 

In a Nutshell

Node js and Angular are famed JavaScript tools but fulfil different objectives. Node.js comes as a back-end runtime environment associated with building server-side applications. Angular comes as a reliable front-end framework associated with creating dynamic web interfaces. Making a choice from them depends on whether you are building an application’s interactive user experience (Angular) or its internal logic (Node.js). 

Get a Free Consultation!
If you have any questions or need help with a project, please fill out the form below.

Table of Contents

Make the Ultimate Choice – Get Peak Performance 

JavaScript is a commonly used programming language across the web development industry. Wherever there is JavaScript, there will be Node.js and Angular. Both of them are regarded among the most commonly utilised JavaScript frameworks. Still, they have their differences. 

This is where this blog comes to help you, because it will do an informative comparison of the frameworks. All the information here is ideal for anyone associated with custom web application development or who is often engulfed in the Node JS vs Angular debate or doesn’t know which to choose.  

So, let’s begin: 

A Comparison Table Between Node JS and Angular 

Technology

Angular

Node JS 

   

Type 

Structural framework associated with developing dynamic web apps 

Cross-platform run-time environment for applications made in JavaScript 

Variant 

MVC framework with complete features 

Framework for JS execution only 

Provision of Tool Chain 

Low 

IDEs/Code Editors 

GUI and CLI tools 

Libraries 

Usage 

Can build single-page client-side applications 

Can build scalable, fast client-side and server-side networking applications 

Learning Curve 

High 

High 

Programming Language  

JS, HTML 

Written in JavaScript, C, and C++ 

Document Object Module 

Real DOM 

No Dom 

Rendering 

Client-side 

Server-side 

Architecture 

MVC 

MVC/MVVM 

Efficiency 

Views and models are simpler 

Supports non-blocking operations, bringing efficiency to the platform 

Applications 

It is a Web Framework 

Presents different Web Frameworks such as Sails.js, Express.js, Meteor.js, Hapi.js, and Socket.io 

Data Binding 

Two-way binding 

Two-way binding 

Package Strength 

Weak 

JX Core and source file encryption 

Node Js vs Angular: Important Differences 

If you’re new to professional development or involved in web application projects, understanding the differences between Node.js and Angular is crucial. 

Node JS 

JavaScript developed the Node JS framework. It is a cross-platform, open-sourced, and runtime architecture that allows a user to create server-side scripts. It has a huge library where you will come across a host of materials detailing how to utilise Node.js for software development. 

Many who argue regarding node js vs angular don’t know that Node.js was developed on Google’s V8 JavaScript Engine. Also, it came with a host of interesting features, like a non-blocking I/O model. 

Today, we see that Node.Js is commonly used to make modern web apps that can run on a host of platforms. 

Angular 

This is another well-renowned framework written on Typescript by the Google Angular team. By the time this writing, Google’s developer community was managing Angular. It is because of its Model-View-Whatever (MVW) architecture that you can develop web applications that have a data-driven and front-end model. 

In most cases, Angular is used for Single Page Application (or SPA) developments. Any entity that wants to make Angular better responsive to a given user’s actions can possibly extend it with HTML DOM. 

An interesting point here is that the Angular Apache 2.0 licence version is free of cost and is an open-source framework. 

True, both Node JS and Angular are JavaScript frameworks with a host of similar points, but there are differentiating factors in them. 

Let’s discuss these factors in some detail. 

Basics 

Angular is appropriate for front-end and structured web apps, and Node JS is appropriate for developing back-end web apps and web servers. 

Development Process 

Let’s say that you are involved in building Node JS web applications. In this case, installing Node.js in the development environment is a must. Here, you have the option of embedding Angular on the code to utilise it. 

Programming Languages 

Both Node JS and Angular were built on JavaScript programming languages. However, it is important to note here that since their creation, technologies have evolved, and they now support a host of programming languages. 

Angular supports Dart, CoffeeScript, and TypeScript. Node JS supports TypeScript, Ruby, and CoffeeScript. 

Use Cases 

Node.js is great for building the backend of custom mobile app development. It handles all the server-side logic, database interactions, and API integrations efficiently. But, it is important to state that with Angular, you can create streaming applications or real-time chatbot apps, and with Node JS, you can create fast server-side apps.  

Data Use Cases 

In Angular, the MVW architecture works as a two-way data transaction model. In case a web app is built with angular, its associated data is synched with view and model. Additionally, Angular does not support writing database queries. 

With Node.js, you can write database queries regardless of your database selection. Therefore, Node.js is a leading choice for software development companies. Moreover, Node.js’s NPM streamlines development and enables developers to produce complex applications or business management solutions quickly. 

The Benefits 

Angular

Node.JS

  

This is an easy-to-use framework that a user can apply for HTML as a template language. It offers event-driven programming paradigms, model view controller architecture, directives, automatic data binding, and built-in filters.  

This is a scalable, open-source, runtime, and cross-platform JavaScript development framework. It has built-in application programming interfaces and a library where you can make a host of servers. 

Which One to Learn? 

Of course, a simple answer to this question is that as a developer, you should try to learn both the Node JS and Angular frameworks. This will allow you to select any one of them whenever you require them. 

An Interesting Scenario 

Let’s consider a scenario where you’re working with a custom software development services provider that ensures your application is future-ready and has all the features and security needed to keep your application scalable. Well, all this is a breeze with Node.js. 

Looking at Node JS 

Now, let’s look at Node JS. This usually enjoys more fame than Angular. Moreover, it is utilised in large companies such as Uber and Amazon Prime. Node JS has a massive online community that offers you support with regard to application development. 

If you are involved in a project that demands video streaming, Internet of Things, real-time teamwork, and so on, go with Node JS. 

Modules 

It is rather common to see an app with modules supporting bootstrapping. In Angular, the applications are modules, which are NgModules or Angular modules that are well integrated into the web apps. 

When we look at Node JS, the modules are created for networking, like data streams, binary data, I/O, TCP, DNS, HTTP, and other important functions like cryptography. 

Architectures 

In an Angular architecture, there are dependency injection, data binding, directives, services, templates, metadata, modules, and other things. 

Within a Node JS architecture, there are requests for blocking or non-blocking of users, external resources, event loops, thread pools, event queues, servers, and other things. 

Scopes 

Today, developers mostly utilise Node JS on both the client side and the server side. Angular is used for client-side interactions. 

Node JS’s Difference from Angular and Other Frameworks 

Node js vs Angular Comparing

Many industry experts and analysts agree that the key noticeable difference between Angular and Node JS is that Node is utilised to make server-side codes required for back-end web applications. 

When we look at Angular, we see that you have the option of making front-end web applications. 

This is why both frameworks differ in their respective use cases. Still, it is evident that Node JS enjoys more preference and popularity as it lets you develop a web application from the beginning. However, you need to be an expert in JavaScript. 

It is also widely believed that Node JS is more efficient and flexible. It is because of such facts that it is utilised in real-time app development. 

Glancing at Angular’s Model View Control Architecture 

Many new Angular users either have limited or no knowledge about this MVC architecture. Well, it is important to make matters clear here. This is considered to be an architectural model that can divide an app into three segments, which are controller, view, and model. 

Each segment is vital in managing different aspects of a web application. Note that MVC is among the most utilised frameworks for web development. Now that we have cleared this, let’s see the MVC components: 

Model 

It is in the nature of the model to operate with data-driven logic that users need to utilise the app. Let’s look at an example: if a purchaser is getting data from a database, the model will act and manipulate the data and update it back to the database in a timely manner. 

This data is transmitted via Controller and View. 

View 

This is the MVC framework component that works with every UI logic. Let’s see an example: the customer view features UI components like text boxes, drop-down menus, and so on. All such components are accessed by users. 

Controller 

This is considered to be the middle interface present between the view and model. It is supposed to process incoming requests and data logic. An important function of the controller is that it can manipulate the data with the model element. Later, it forwards it to the view element. 

This is done to generate the final output. Moreover, the controller is beneficial when viewing customer data. For example, it is in the nature of the customer controller to manage the interaction between the view inputs and update the database in a timely manner via the model.  

Node JS Assessment 

Many developers who argue about the node js vs angular topic don’t know that Node JS was built on top of Google Chrome’s JavaScript runtime. This is the reason why it lets you create scalable and fast web apps. 

Node JS’s event-driven nature showcases that it has asynchronous APIs in its library. 

Node does not wait till API generates data. After the server requests data from a given API, it goes to the other. It is the Node’s event-driven nature that gets a response from the final API request.   

An Interesting Point to Note 

This blog has offered enough information that can benefit both sides that discuss the node js vs angular issue. Still, it will be best if any potential user of any of the frameworks does a thorough degree of research on the topic at hand. 

This research is even more useful for those students who are looking to have a long and fruitful career in the web development domain and want to harness a good degree of knowledge regarding today’s latest JavaScript frameworks. 

On a side note, there are a host of free-of-cost and resource-rich sources available on the internet that can assist you with your quest for knowledge regarding the whole node js vs angular issue. All that they demand is a bit of your time and effort.  

Concluding Remarks 

Node JS and Angular have a great deal of similarities. For instance, they are used in web application development projects and are open-sourced. Having stated this, their data use cases, advantages, features, models, and architectures are different. 

This is why they are utilised in other use cases in different circumstances. For instance, a given user can utilise Angular for single-page apps, as this will make them more interactive and dynamic. They are considered to be ideal for streaming services or chat services. 

Node JS is ideal for collaborative approaches like Dropbox, Google Docs, and so on. So, if you are impressed by any node js vs angular discussion and intend to make use of any of them (or both), it will be best to take a good look at your existing project requirements.  

Lastly, if you seek better knowledge regarding Node.js or Angular and want to know how they can benefit you, contact FuturByte today. 

FuturByte is a reputed custom website solutions provider that enjoys a globally situated client base. They would love to listen to you and can offer you free advice regarding your relevant concerns.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Angular better or Node JS?

This question is often asked by those who are yet to be familiar with both Node JS and Angular. Regardless, both frameworks are unique in their own manners. 

You can utilise Angular for single-page apps having a host of functional layers. Angular is a client-side and open-sourced framework. 

Node JS is a scalable server-side and open-sourced framework that a user can use on Mac OS, Linux, Unix, and Windows. 

However, note that Node JS has an event-driven model. This is why it is lightweight as compared to Angular. 

Are AngularJS and NodeJS same?

A simple answer to this question is no. Both Angular and Node JS are different from each other as they are developed by different sets of engineers and have different functions. 

True, both are regarded as reliable JavaScript language frameworks, but they have different architectures and features. 

For any web developer, it is best to take into consideration these differences as soon as possible.  

Is Node JS better or Angular?

Let’s say that you are looking to compare the functions and features of Node JS and Angular. The comparison will allow you to see how much they differ. 

Understand that they are utilised in different app development and scenarios. However, if you are required to compare their attributes, you will notice that Node JS enjoys more popularity due to its versatile qualities. 

Do I need Node JS to use AngularJS?

A simple answer to this question is no, or even vice versa. You are required to install Node JS to build angular apps. If you are creating front-end apps, you will need a client-side web browser. 

Let’s say that you are building back-end apps. In this case, you need a server-side environment. Additionally, understand that Node JS is required for Angular 2. 

Is it possible to make Angular work with NodeJS?

You need either Java or Node JS if you are aiming to build angular apps. However, you can build an angular app that has static content featuring NGINX by attaining server codes. For that, it is a must to load the HTML and index pages with Node JS. 

Can you name other JavaScripts besides Angular and Node.js?

There are a host of other JavaScript frameworks besides angular and Node.js. These include Vue.js and Svelte. Before you select any JavaScript framework for your particular purpose, it is important for you to properly analyse its overall strengths and weaknesses. 

Remember, your right choice relies on your development team’s experience and your project’s specific requirements. 

Looking For Something Else? Check Out FuturByte's Leading Services

Service Description Resource

Technical SEO Services

Improve your site's search engine performance with our comprehensive technical SEO services.

WordPress Development Company in Dubai

Improve your online presence by partnering with the top WordPress development company in Dubai.

Custom Software in Dubai

Achieve business excellence by employing us for custom software in Dubai.

Custom Web Development

Get tailored web solutions from our experienced custom web development company.

Got an Exciting Web Development Idea? We've got the Skills!

Let's Discuss Your Website Development Project!

Related Blogs